Lorenzo Musetti beat Stfanos Tsitsipas7-5 7-6 (7-3) to reach the Round of 16 at the Madrid Mutua Open for the fisrt time in his career. Musetti reduced his gap to 2-5 in his head-to-head matches against Tsitsipas.
Musetti continues his good period of form on clay winning seven of his eight matches. The Italian player earned his first win over Tsitsipas in Monte-Carlo en route to his first Masters 1000 final.
Musetti could reach the top 10 for the first time in his career.
Tsitsipas earned an early break to open up a 3-0 lead in the first set. The former world number 3 earned three break points in the sixth game. Musetti came back by winning five consecutive games to clinch the first set 7-5. The Italian player converted two of his three break points and saved a set point at 4-5 en route to winning five consecutive games. He saved four of the five break points he faced and converted two of his three break points.
Both players went on serve for most of the second set. Tsitsipas fended off three break points at 4-4 and another one at 5-5.
faced three break points at 4-4 0-40 but he saved them to hold serve for 5-4. The set was decided by the tie-break. Musetti raced to a 6-0 lead in the tie-break. Tsitsipas saved three match points but Musetti sealed the win on his fourth opportunity setting up a match against Alex De Minaur, who beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3 7-6 (7-3). Musetti beat De Minar in the semifinals in Monte-Carlo.
Tommy Paul beat Karen Khachanov 6-3 3-6 6-2 setting up a match against Jack Draper, who advanced when Matteo Berretini withdrew from the match due to an abdominal injury.
“I did not start well, but I played for the first time on the Manolo Santana Court. I had never played on this court. The conditions were completely different compared to the other courts. I struggled to find the rhythm because the ball bounces higher than on other courts. I managed to remain patient. It’s a good win. I was determined to win this match and this made the difference. I am very proud because I really wanted this win”, said Musetti.
